Devices for providing ground-based advertising in a parking lot setting

ABSTRACT

The invention discloses devices for providing continuous advertising content within a plurality of dedicated parking lot advertising infrastructure units called “capsules.” Advertisements are generally placed in a waterproof space defined by a back unit and a clear, hard-plastic cover. A display unit or a physical advertisement may be placed in the space. Lighting and Internet connectivity may be provided to improve the performance and range of parking lot advertising capsules.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to devicesfor providing continuous street-level advertising in a parking lot. Theinstant invention, in some embodiments, allows for a plurality ofadvertisements to be placed, updated, and changed in a parking lotwithout interfering with normal vehicular traffic.

One of the most pressing business imperatives today is maximizing thevalue of a property, be it intellectual, brand-oriented or physicalproperty. Sports stars use their brief careers to make money beyondtheir sports performance: endorsement, acting, and other fees often leadto greater income that base sports salaries. Maximizing income is oftencritical for profitability for a given investment or the like.

Advertising has evolved rapidly with the advent of Internet and mobiledevices. Whereas in previous generations advertising was associateddirectly with print media, radio and television, today's advertisingexecutives are constantly looking for ways to reach potential customersvia cellular phones, live events (sports, music, etc.), and incessantInternet browsing.

One place where advertising can find mobile customers is in parking lotenvironments. When one parks his/her car, a properly place advertisementmay offer a potential customer a quick look at a nearby product oropportunity, creating an impulse to purchase said product or takeadvantage of said opportunity. Whereas buses and subways are packed withadvertisements, private cars generally sport no such things. Parkinglots offer ideal venues for placing advertisements that drivers willnecessarily see as they enter and leave such structures.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/947,559 to Mullens, et al. teachesan invention relates to outdoor advertising and, more particularly, tomethods, systems and apparatus for providing branded parking spaces. Theinvention includes using a standard parking space as an advertisingspace that creates an opportunity for advertisers to reach customerswith branded messages at a place where they park a vehicle, creating anout-of-home advertising venue. The parking space can have an advertisingmessage applied to it, such as on a sign placed within the parkingspace, adjacent to the parking space or in an area between two adjacentparking spaces. The advertising message can also be applied to theasphalt or concrete within the parking space, adjacent to the parkingspace or in an area between two adjacent parking spaces. The advertisingmessage can also be applied to a canopy, overhang or ceiling that iswithin the parking space, adjacent to the parking space or in an areabetween two adjacent parking spaces. An agency or organization, such asan advertising media company obtains permission to apply an advertisingmessage to one or more parking spaces. The advertising media companyobtains an advertising message from or creates an advertising messagefor an advertiser, and in exchange for consideration, applies theadvertising message to the parking space. The advertising media companycan apply the advertising message to the parking space in accordancewith a predefined arrangement between the advertising media company andthe advertiser. The advertising media company can apply differentadvertising messages to a given parking space over a period time. Theadvertising message can be incorporated in a changeable form, such as asign or an electronic display that is capable of displaying more thanone advertising message. The advertising message can be transmitted toan available display device within a vehicle using wirelesscommunication systems.

International Patent Application Number PCT/GB2001001125 to Mooredescribes an advertisement system comprises a surface (10) divided intoa plurality of vehicle parking bays (12) by markings (11).Advertisements (13, 14, 15, 20) are associated with the parking bays(12). The advertisements (13, 14, 15, 20) may be associated with themarkings (11) or located within the parking bays. A display device (16,17, 20) may be used to display the advertisement. The display device maycomprise a strip (20) of material carrying the advertisement and securedin position by an adhesive.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/033,885 to DeMarco teaches anadvertising display has support structures that attach to a pole. One ormore advertising panels are mounted on the support structures to form anadvertising display. The display may have the form of a cylinder, atriangle, a rectangle, an oval or other shapes. The display mayoptionally be tapered. The support structures may have a variety ofscore lines, at which the support may be folded as appropriate for theparticular diameter of the pole. The panels may be secured to thesupports by way of clips or other mechanical fasteners. Double-sidedadhesive may be employed to secure ends of the panels, as desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a purpose of the present invention, in some embodiments,to describe methods and devices for providing continuous, changeableadvertising on the ground of parking lots and the like.

The invention includes a parking lot advertisement system, including thefollowing: a parking lot including a plurality of parking spaces; aplurality of advertising back units adapted to be attached topredetermined positions defining the parking spaces in the parking lot;a plurality of clear covers adapted to be placed over and reversiblyattached to the back units, wherein the back units and the covers definewaterproof open spaces adapted to hold advertising material; a pluralityof advertisements adapted in size to fit reversibly within the openspaces; a plurality of photovoltaic cells placed in proximity to theopen spaces and adapted to convert sunlight into electricity; a batteryadapted to store the electricity generated by the photovoltaic cells; asensor for detecting low-light conditions; and, a plurality of LED'sadapted to receive electricity from the photovoltaic cells or thebattery and further adapted to illuminate the advertising material inlow light conditions.

In one aspect of the system, there is additionally a camera and softwareadapted to identify a brand and model of car parked in proximity to thecamera.

In another aspect of the system, the back units are attached to thepredetermined positions with a weatherproof adhesive, bolts, screws,male/female elements, or other means.

In another aspect of the system, the back units are placed at a spacingso as to allow one vehicle to park between ever pair of the back units.

In another aspect of the system, the covers are selected from a hard,clear plastic, the covers being adapted to be opened and closed via ahinge and are further adapted to withstand weight of vehicles resting onor passing over the covers.

In another aspect of the system, the advertisements include at least oneQR code or one RFID tag on each separate advertisement.

The invention also includes a parking lot advertisement system,including the following: a parking lot including a plurality of parkingspaces; a plurality of advertising back units adapted to be attached topredetermined positions defining the parking spaces in the parking lot;a plurality of clear waterproof covers adapted to be permanentlyattached to the back units, wherein the covers includes slots adapted toaccept advertising material in open spaces realized between the backunits and the covers; a plurality of advertisements adapted in size tofit reversibly within the open spaces via the slots; and, a materialcapable of undergoing phosphorescence, wherein the material is adaptedto provide lighting to the advertisements for at least a portion ofnighttime hours.

In one aspect of the system, the back units and the waterproof coversare realized as single units, wherein each single unit includes a backunit adapted to be attached to the parking lot and a cover adapted toshow advertising content placed beneath the cover in the open spaces.

In another aspect of the system, the material is realized as a zincsulfide, strontium aluminate, calcium sulfide, or phosphorescentpigment.

The invention further includes a parking lot advertisement system,including the following: a parking lot including a plurality of parkingspaces; a plurality of advertising back units adapted to be attached topredetermined positions in the parking lot and defining the parkingspaces; a plurality of clear waterproof covers adapted to be placed overthe back units, wherein the back units and the covers define open spacesadapted to hold advertising material; a plurality of display screens,wherein a single display screen is disposed between a single back unitand a single cover; a wireless Internet receiver; an electrical powersource adapted to provide electrical energy to the plurality of displayscreens; and, a source of Internet-based content adapted to provide aplurality of advertisements to the displays, wherein the content isadapted to be changed after predetermined periods of time.

In one aspect of the system, the parking lot is realized as a pluralityof parking lots.

In another aspect of the system, the back units are attached screws,nails, or metal plates.

In another aspect of the system, the electrical power is realized assolar-generated electricity.

In another aspect of the system, the content is realized as a pluralityof prepaid advertisements.

In another aspect of the system, there is additionally a controlleradapted to select which advertisements to display on which of theplurality of display screens.

In another aspect of the system, the covers are adapted to withstandweight of cars, trucks, and buses when the cars, trucks, and buses driveover or sit on the covers.

In another aspect of the system, the source of Internet-based content isadapted to send the content to the display screens wirelessly.

In another aspect of the system, the source of Internet-based content isrealized as a server and wherein the wireless receiver is realized as aWiFi router.

In another aspect of the system, the advertisements are realized asvideo advertisements.

In another aspect of the system, the predetermined period of time isrealized as 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 10 hours, 24 hours,one week, two weeks, or one month.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specificreference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that theparticulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrativediscussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, thedescription taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled inthe art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced. It is notedthat similar elements in various drawings may have the same number,advanced by the appropriate multiple of 100.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1A shows a schematic view of a parking lot;

FIG. 1B shows a model of an embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 2A shows a back unit for an embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 2B shows a plastic cover for an embodiment of the instantinvention;

FIG. 2C shows a schematic view of an advertisement for use in anembodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 2D shows a schematic view of an advertising capsule according to anembodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 2E shows a night view of a parking lot with a plurality ofadvertising capsules;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the instant invention;and,

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of an Internet-powered digital embodimentof the instant invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to systemsfor providing purpose-built, in-ground advertising systems for parkinglots and similar mass vehicle venues. In some embodiments, theadvertisements may be adapted to a profile of a driver associated with acar parking near an advertising element. In other embodiments, theadvertisements may be periodically changed and/or lit up for nightviewing.

For purposes of better understanding, some embodiments of the presentinvention are illustrated in the figures of the drawings. Without beingbound by any theory, the following discussion is offered.

First Embodiment

The invention includes a parking lot advertisement system, including thefollowing: a parking lot including a plurality of parking spaces; aplurality of advertising back units adapted to be attached topredetermined positions defining the parking spaces in the parking lot;a plurality of clear covers adapted to be placed over and reversiblyattached to the back units, wherein the back units and the covers definewaterproof open spaces adapted to hold advertising material; a pluralityof advertisements adapted in size to fit reversibly within the openspaces; a plurality of photovoltaic cells placed in proximity to theopen spaces and adapted to convert sunlight into electricity; a batteryadapted to store the electricity generated by the photovoltaic cells; asensor for detecting low-light conditions; and, a plurality of LED'sadapted to receive electricity from the photovoltaic cells or thebattery and further adapted to illuminate the advertising material inlow light conditions.

In one aspect of the system, there is additionally a camera and softwareadapted to identify a brand and model of car parked in proximity to thecamera for the purpose of customizing an advertisement most appropriateto the target audience. In another aspect of the system, the back unitsare attached to the predetermined positions with a weatherproofadhesive, bolts, screws, male/female elements, or other means. Inanother aspect of the system, the back units are placed at a spacing soas to allow one vehicle to park between ever pair of the back units. Inanother aspect of the system, the covers are selected from a hard, clearplastic, the covers being adapted to be opened and closed via a hingeand are further adapted to withstand weight of vehicles resting on orpassing over the covers. In another aspect of the system, theadvertisements include at least one QR code or one RFID tag on eachseparate advertisement.

Attention is turned to FIG. 1A which shows an aerial view of the instantembodiment. A parking lot advertising system 100 includes a parking lot105 divided into a plurality of parking spaces 110. Each parking space110 is defined by one or a plurality of dividers 115 which may generallybe realized as white or yellow paint or alternatively a raised cementstructure. On such dividers 115 or in their place, advertising backunits 120 are fixed to the ground of the parking lot 105. Fixing of backunits 120 may be accomplished by any means, including but not limitedto, bolting, screwing, gluing, attaching, fixing, and immobilizing.

Back units 120 may be covered with clear plastic covers 125 which aregenerally clear, waterproof, and adapted to withstand the weight of acar or truck either moving over or standing on said covers 125 withoutcracking, breaking or any deformation. Covers may be fastened, attached,joined, combined or otherwise associated transiently or permanently withthe back units 120. A hinge (not shown in figure) is often used as ajoining element between a back unit 120 and a cover 125. The spacebetween the back unit 120 and the cover 125 is adapted to receiveadvertisements.

FIG. 1B shows a schematic side view of the parking lot 105 with theadvertising units 140 placed on the ground around parking spaces 110.Note that the advertising units 140 do not interfere with facile parkingin the parking spaces 110. The advertising units 140 are adapted towithstand passing and standing vehicles without damage or deformation.

Attention is turned to FIG. 2A. A back unit 220 is shown. The back unitmay be attached to the ground of a parking lot by any means, includingbut not limited to it being screwed in, attached to a holding mechanismplaced in the ground, glue, bolting etc. FIG. 2B shows a cover 225adapted to be placed over the back unit (FIG. 2A). The cover 225 isadapted to include hinges 227 to allow for facile opening and closing ofcover 225 to replace advertisements. The back unit and the cover 225together form a water-tight space into which an advertisement 235 (FIG.2C) may be placed. Closing the cover 225 (FIG. 2B) over the back unit220 (FIG. 2A) with the advertisement 235 (FIG. 2C) in the space yields acomplete advertising unit. It is understood that the advertisement 235may be made of any material including but not limited to paper andpolymers, it may be color or black and white, it may show a plurality ofadvertisements based on optical perspective and the advertisement 235may be realized as a plurality of advertisements. Advertisements 235 mayoptionally include QR codes 238 to allow for a consumer to takeadvertisement 235 data home or in-store with him/her. Alternatively oradditionally, there may be one or more RFID chips 239 (FIG. 2C)associated with the advertisement 235 to allow for data tracking orcommunication between advertisement 235 and a mobile electronic device(not shown).

Attention is turned to FIG. 2D. A back unit 220 includes a cover 225hinged open and a polymer-based color advertisement 235. There isadditionally a photovoltaic cell 250, a battery 260, a camera, 270 and astring of LED lights 280 associated with the back unit 220. Thephotovoltaic cell 250 and the battery 260 may be adapted to provideelectricity to the LED lights 280 when a sensor 275 identifies low lightconditions. The camera 270 may be adapted to identify cars parking nextto the advertising unit or capsule 240.

FIG. 2E shows a parking lot 205 with a plurality of advertising capsules240 lit up by LED lights from electrical energy stored it associatedbatteries. Electrical energy is generated by either grid power orassociated photovoltaic cells and appropriate light sensors identifytiming of turning on LEDS to illuminate the waterproof, crack-proofcapsules 240.

Second Embodiment

The invention also includes a parking lot advertisement system,including the following: a parking lot including a plurality of parkingspaces; a plurality of advertising back units adapted to be attached topredetermined positions defining the parking spaces in the parking lot;a plurality of clear waterproof covers adapted to be permanentlyattached to the back units, wherein the covers includes slots adapted toaccept advertising material in open spaces realized between the backunits and the covers; a plurality of advertisements adapted in size tofit reversibly within the open spaces via the slots; and, a materialcapable of undergoing phosphorescence, wherein the material is adaptedto provide lighting to the advertisements for at least a portion ofnighttime hours.

In one aspect of the system, the back units and the waterproof coversare realized as single units, wherein each single unit includes a backunit adapted to be attached to the parking lot and a cover adapted toshow advertising content placed beneath the cover in the open spaces. Inanother aspect of the system, the material is realized as a zincsulfide, strontium aluminate, calcium sulfide, or phosphorescentpigment.

Attention is turned to FIG. 3. The instant embodiment lacks electricity,LED's and light sensors of the previous embodiment. Rather the parkingadvertisement capsule 340 includes a phosphorescent or similar material390 that allows for lighting of an advertisement 335 for a portion ofthe nighttime. The parking advertisement capsule 340 does include a backunit 320 and a permanently-attached and non-openable clear hard-plasticcover 325 which together form a waterproof space for the advertisement335 which may be realized as a plurality of advertisements. A coveredslit 345 allows for insertion and removal of advertisement 335 as pertiming and business arrangement with advertising entities.

Third Embodiment

The invention further includes a parking lot advertisement system,including the following: a parking lot including a plurality of parkingspaces; a plurality of advertising back units adapted to be attached topredetermined positions in the parking lot and defining the parkingspaces; a plurality of clear waterproof covers adapted to be placed overthe back units, wherein the back units and the covers define open spacesadapted to hold advertising material; a plurality of display screens,wherein a single display screen is disposed between a single back unitand a single cover; a wireless Internet receiver; an electrical powersource adapted to provide electrical energy to the plurality of displayscreens; and, a source of Internet-based content adapted to provide aplurality of advertisements to the displays, wherein the content isadapted to be changed after predetermined periods of time.

In one aspect of the system, the parking lot is realized as a pluralityof parking lots. In another aspect of the system, the back units areattached screws, nails, or metal plates. In another aspect of thesystem, the electrical power is realized as solar-generated electricity.In another aspect of the system, the content is realized as a pluralityof prepaid advertisements. In another aspect of the system, there isadditionally a controller adapted to select which advertisements todisplay on which of the plurality of display screens. In another aspectof the system, the covers are adapted to withstand weight of cars,trucks, and buses when the cars, trucks, and buses drive over or sit onthe covers. In another aspect of the system, the source ofInternet-based content is adapted to send the content to the displayscreens wirelessly. In another aspect of the system, the source ofInternet-based content is realized as a server and wherein the wirelessreceiver is realized as a WiFi router. In another aspect of the system,the advertisements are realized as video advertisements. In anotheraspect of the system, the predetermined period of time is realized as 15minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 10 hours, 24 hours, one week, twoweeks, or one month.

Attention is turned to FIG. 4. Showing a digital, Internet-basedwireless parking advertisement capsule 440. The capsule 440 includes aground-attachable back unit 420 including a cover 425 hinged open and agraphical user interface or display screen 437. There is additionally aphotovoltaic cell 450, a battery 460, optional camera, 470 and wirelessInternet source or router 485 associated with the back unit 420 and thedisplay unit 437. The photovoltaic cell 450 and the battery 460 may beadapted to provide electricity to the display 437 to power advertisingcontent delivered to the capsule 440 via a wireless router 485. Thecamera 470 may be adapted to identify cars parking next to theadvertising unit or capsule 440. A controller 488 may be included totransfer and receive data via the Internet router 485 and controladvertising material displayed on the display screen 437. Such controlmay include video, video animation, timing of advertisements, order ofmultiple advertisements, selection of advertisements for drivers ofspecific car makes and models as identified by the camera 470, and thelike. The controller may be associated with capsule 440 or may be inwireless or wired communication with the capsule 440 while located at aposition that allows for control for a plurality of capsules 440 in aparking lot.

EXAMPLE

A parking lot with 300 spaces for private cars was provided. At eachseparation line between spaces, two holes were drilled into the asphaltinto which a sealant and an anchor were inserted. A base of anadvertising capsule was placed over the holes containing the sealant andanchors. Two screws were drilled through the base of each capsule andinto their respective anchors, thereby securing the bases to theasphalt. Contained within the bases are elements of night-lighting,including a light sensor, a PV solar panel, a battery and a string ofLED lights. Printed paper advertisements are placed over each base and aclear capsule cover hinges closed on each base, securing anadvertisement within each capsules. 300 of such capsules are installedusing 600 screws and anchors. Advertisements are visible during the daywithout lighting assistance and are visible during the early hours ofthe night via the lighting elements contained within each capsule.Advertisements are sold for a duration of 1 month. At the end of the 1month duration, each capsule is opened by a person using the hingedclear cover and the advertisements are replaced with new advertisementsand again sealed with the clear covers.

While several embodiments of the present invention have been describedand illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readilyenvision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing thefunctions and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of theadvantages described herein, and each of such variations and/ormodifications is deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatall parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations describedherein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters,dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon thespecific application or applications for which the teachings of thepresent invention is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize,or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, manyequivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention describedherein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoingembodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within thescope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, the invention maybe practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Thepresent invention is directed to each individual feature, system,article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, anycombination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials,kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials,kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included withinthe scope of the present invention.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood tocontrol over dictionary definitions, definitions in documentsincorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the definedterms.

Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention maybe presented in a range format. It should be understood that thedescription in range format is merely for convenience and brevity andshould not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of theinvention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be consideredto have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well asindividual numerical values within that range. For example, descriptionof a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specificallydisclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numberswithin that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This appliesregardless of the breadth of the range. In addition, as used herein theterm “about” refers to +/−10%. In addition, when the word “about” isused herein in reference to a number, it should be understood that stillanother embodiment of the invention includes that number not modified bythe presence of the word “about.”

Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to includeany cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range.The phrases “ranging/ranges between” a first indicate number and asecond indicate number and “ranging/ranges from” a first indicate number“to” a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and aremeant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all thefractional and integral numerals there between.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in thespecification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to thecontrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in theclaims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements soconjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some casesand disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with“and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” ofthe elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be presentother than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause,whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when usedin conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer,in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other thanB); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionallyincluding other elements); etc.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should beunderstood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. Forexample, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall beinterpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, butalso including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and,optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated tothe contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when usedin the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactlyone element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or”as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusivealternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded byterms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or“exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims,shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “atleast one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should beunderstood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more ofthe elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including atleast one of each and every element specifically listed within the listof elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the listof elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally bepresent other than the elements specifically identified within the listof elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “atleast one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) canrefer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including morethan one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements otherthan B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally includingmore than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionallyincluding more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including morethan one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to thecontrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one stepor act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarilylimited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method arerecited.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitionalphrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,”“containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are tobe understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limitedto. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consistingessentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases,respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual ofPatent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A ground-based advertising unit,comprising: a back unit adapted to be attached to the ground; atransparent cover adapted to be placed over and attached to said backunit; a substantially sealed cavity defined by said back unit and saidcover, wherein said cavity is adapted to hold one or moreadvertisements; at least one photovoltaic cell placed on said back unitand adapted to convert sunlight into electricity; a battery electricallyconnected to said at least one photovoltaic cell and adapted to storesaid electricity generated by said at least one photovoltaic cell; asensor positioned within said cavity and adapted to detect ambientlighting conditions; a plurality of LEDs in electrical communicationwith said sensor and adapted to receive electricity from saidphotovoltaic cell or said battery and further adapted to illuminate saidcavity when the ambient lighting conditions detected by said sensor arebelow a pre-determined threshold; and a camera and executable softwareinstructions adapted to identify a make and model of car parked inproximity to said back unit from image data received from the camera;wherein said cover is adapted to withstand the weight of a vehicleresting on or passing over said cover.
 2. The unit according to claim 1,further comprising a hinge located on said back unit and adapted to movesaid cover between an opened positioned and a closed position.
 3. Theunit according to claim 1, further comprising an advertisement, whereinsaid advertisement comprises at least one QR code or one RFID tag. 4.The unit according to claim 1 wherein: the ground is a parking lot; andthe back unit is sized for placement between adjacent parking spaces insaid parking lot.
 5. A ground-based advertising unit, comprising: a backunit adapted to be attached to the ground and sized for placementbetween adjacent parking spaces in a parking lot; a transparent cover; asubstantially sealed cavity defined by the space between saidtransparent cover and said back unit, wherein said cavity is sized tohold an advertisement; at least one solar panel located on said backunit and adapted to convert sunlight into electricity; a batteryelectrically connected to said at least one solar panel and adapted tostore electricity generated by said at least one solar panel; a sensorpositioned within said cavity and configured to detect ambient lightconditions; a plurality of lighting elements in electrical connectionwith said solar panel, said battery, and said sensor, wherein saidlighting elements are adapted to illuminate said cavity when said sensordetects ambient light conditions below a predetermined threshold; acamera configured to capture an image of a vehicle parked in an adjacentparking space; and executable software instructions, which whenexecuted, configure the camera to determine the make and model of thevehicle from the captured image; wherein said cover and said back unitare adapted to withstand the weight of a vehicle.
 6. The unit accordingto claim 5 wherein: said back unit is substantially rectangular inshape; and said lighting elements are positioned along an edge of saidback unit.
 7. The unit according to claim 5 further comprising: anadvertisement sized to be deposited within said cavity.
 8. The unitaccording to claim 7 further comprising: an RFID device associated withthe advertisement and configured communicate with a mobile electronicdevice.
 9. The unit according to claim 5 wherein: the back unit and thetransparent cover are configured to withstand the weight of a vehicleparked such that one tire of said vehicle is resting atop saidtransparent cover.